We’re hearing so much about Android at the moment in our line of work. We’re still developing iOS applications of course, because the operating system is very much part of our world. It’s necessary for consumer applications, and great for organisations large enough to use the Enterprise Program and who can run an in-house app store.

However, Android has many advantages for businesses large and small, as well as for end users.

For a start it gives complete control and the same freedom old Windows mobile devices offered. So, for instance, a small company could buy ten handsets of their choice and load their in-house application without having to ask permission. And there’s no bureaucracy.

There’s a wide choice of hardware too. Android is available on low-end phones, high-end smartphones, cheap tablets, and robust, weatherproof devices like the Panasonic Toughpad.

It’s also available on processor modules for integration directly in to your own hardware.

Then there’s the ease with which user interfaces can be developed such as modern touch-based screens. And it supports development of USB device drivers, which can control custom hardware.

Android also enables custom application launchers for single purpose devices, and it’s possible to ship a completely customised Android image on your own hardware.

So while there’s still a place for iOS, Android is winning the operating systems war.